and reports transmitted from him are not mass-transmitted (1). Nor is there in our time any infallible person to whom one might turn. There is no might or power except through Allah. How feeble-minded the Rāfidis are!

[Section: The Rāfidi’s discussion of the fourth argument for the imamate of Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—namely, that Allah Most High is able to appoint an infallible imam]

Section

The Rāfidi (2) said:

“Fourth: (3) Allah Most High is able to appoint an [imam] (4) who is infallible; the world’s need demands his appointment, and no harm arises from it. His appointment is therefore obligatory. By consensus, no one other than Alī met these criteria (5), so the imam must be Alī (6).

“As for Allah’s ability, it is evident. The need is likewise evident because, as we have explained, disputes arise among the people of the world. The [absence] (7) of harm is also evident (8), because harm necessarily follows from his absence. As for the obligation to appoint him, this is because (9), when ability and motive are established and any deterrent is absent, the act is necessary.”

The response is that this is precisely the first argument, though he has set it out more fully. There have already been set forth (10)